Gynura japonica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Senecio japonicus
• Cacalia pinnatifida
• Gynura aurita
• Gynura flava
• Gynura pinnatifida
• Gynura segetum
• Gynura vaniotii
• Kleinia japonica
• Porophyllum japonicum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Gynura, specifically as the species Gynura japonica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions in Eastern Asia. In China, its presence is noted in the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. The species also extends its range into the island nation of Japan. Additionally, it can be found growing within the diverse environments of Taiwan. Together, these locations define the primary geographical footprint of Gynura japonica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gynura japonica is characterized by its distribution across significant altitudinal gradients, primarily inhabiting montane environments. This species thrives within a broad elevational range that begins at a minimum of 1,200 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 3,000 m AMSL. Throughout its natural habitat, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 2,100 m AMSL, suggesting an ecological preference for mid-to-high altitude zones where specific temperature and moisture regimes are present.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Gynura japonica is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a member of the life form classifications, it is categorized as a hemicryptophyte, meaning its perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, typically protected by leaf litter or surface debris during unfavorable conditions. This life form strategy enables the plant to endure seasonal changes and regrow from these protected buds once favorable environmental conditions return.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Gynura japonica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. As a terrestrial species, it grows directly from the ground rather than acting as an epiphyte. The plant exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, meaning it does not require external structures for support. In terms of stature, it reaches a maximum height of 1.5 m, with a minimum height of 0.6 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 1.025 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

1.025 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gynura japonica is characterized by specific vegetative dimensions and nutrient acquisition strategies. The plant's foliage exhibits significant morphological variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 30 cm, maintaining an average length of approximately 20 cm. Complementing this, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 8 cm and a maximum of 15 cm, resulting in a mean width of 11.5 cm. Regarding its metabolic nitrogen cycling, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil rather than engaging in symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Leaf length mean:

20 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf width max:

15 cm

Leaf width mean:

11.5 cm

Leaf width min:

8 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gynura japonica involves the development of specialized fruit structures that serve as the primary vehicle for seed dispersal. The morphological characteristics of these fruits are highly consistent, displaying specific dimensions essential for identification. The fruit length typically varies within a narrow range, with a minimum recorded length of 0.4 cm and a maximum reaching up to 0.5 cm. On average, the fruit length measures approximately 0.45 cm. These small, precise dimensions are characteristic of the plant's reproductive output, ensuring the successful distribution of offspring within its natural habitat.

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.45 cm

Fruit length min:

0.4 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gynura japonica has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Chemicals

Gynura japonica has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include SENECIONINE, SENECIPHYLLINE, Phytol, Pyrrolizidine alkaloid, Seneciphyllinine N-oxide.

SENECIONINE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM
3. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

SENECIPHYLLINE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM

Phytol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pyrrolizidine alkaloid

1. Acta pharmacologica Sinica

Seneciphyllinine N-oxide

1. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM

TETRADECANAL

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Undecane

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Gynura japonica has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include apoptosis, ascites, drug-induced liver injury, hepatomegaly, hyperbilirubinemia.

Apoptosis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ascites

1. Acta pharmacologica Sinica

Drug-induced liver injury

1. Acta pharmacologica Sinica

Hepatomegaly

1. Acta pharmacologica Sinica

Hyperbilirubinemia

1. Acta pharmacologica Sinica

Necrosis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Gynura japonica has 5 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Gynura segetum leaves extracts, Tu-San-Qi, alkaloid extract, decoction of GS, its fractions.

Gynura segetum leaves extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tu-san-qi

1. Acta pharmacologica Sinica

Alkaloid extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Decoction of gs

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Its fractions

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology